How to say 'Desire' in Japanese | 欲望

Wondering how to say 'Desire' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Desire is 'Yokubou', written as 欲望 in Japanese.'Desire' in hiragana is よくぼう.

word

欲望

Meaning

Desire

Reading

よくぼう

yokubou

Kanji

欲Desire, Longing 望Hope, Ambition

Explanation

The Japanese noun '欲望 (よくぼう)' means 'desire'. It refers to a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. This word is often used in contexts related to human emotions, ambitions, or cravings, and it can encompass both physical and emotional desires. For example: His desire for success is strong「彼の成功への欲望は強い」(かれのせいこうへのよくぼうはつよい). She couldn't control her desire for sweets「彼女は甘いものへの欲望を抑えられなかった」(かのじょはあまいものへのよくぼうをおさえられなかった). The word can also be used in philosophical or psychological discussions to describe innate human drives.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

4258

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 欲望

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

kanji

欲

Meaning

Desire, Longing

kanji

望

Meaning

Hope, Ambition

Words Related to 欲望 Through the Kanji 欲

These 7 Words contain the Kanji 欲 as well.

word

欲しい

Meaning

Want

word

欲しがる

Meaning

Want

word

意欲

Meaning

Motivation

word

食欲

Meaning

Appetite

word

欲求

Meaning

Demand, Desire

word

欲

Meaning

Desire

word

欲張り

Meaning

Greedy

Words Related to 欲望 Through the Kanji 望

These 11 Words contain the Kanji 望 as well.

word

望む

Meaning

Desire, Hope

word

希望

Meaning

Hope

word

失望

Meaning

Disappointment

word

望ましい

Meaning

Desirable

word

絶望

Meaning

Despair

word

願望

Meaning

Desire

word

望み

Meaning

Hope

word

展望

Meaning

View

word

要望

Meaning

Request

word

有望

Meaning

Promising

word

待ち望む

Meaning

Eagerly await

Learn the Word 欲望

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Yokubou' (欲望) mean?

'Yokubou' means 'Desire' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.